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by Patrice Johnson

If you attended All Clubs Day Vintage Motorcycle Show after noon on Sunday, Sept. 16, chances are the roar of an exceptionally loud engine drew you to the center of the jam-packed Stockbridge Township Square.

The nearer a person approached, the more deafening the sputtering became until a small tent came into view. Underneath, a short man in a checkered shirt grinned as he rolled the accelerator of a shiny blue motorcycle. Clearly this fellow and his low-to-the ground motorcycle were the source of the eardrum-blowing racket. What was going on here?

“Why that’s Rosey Lackey!” an onlooker explained in awe. “He and that bike broke the world’s speed record down in the Salt Flats of Nevada.”

When questioned, Rosey Lackey nodded shyly. “It has gone as fast as 179 [mph],” he said, “and that was enough to acquire the world land speed record in its class.” The slender, 50-looking man first began biking in 1954, he said, and he was now 81 years old. (Yes, 81—not a typo.)

Local organizer Suzi Greenway referred to Lackey’s Bonneville as one of the day’s amazing attractions.

“This is the 12^th annual All Clubs Day on the Township Square,” she said. For 16½ years prior to relocating the event to downtown, Greenway hosted the event at her home on Morton Road, so the event’s longevity actually totals to an impressive 27½ years.

By 1:30 p.m., at least 15 clubs and approximately 250 bikes were parked around the square.

“Throughout the day, several thousand will be riding in,” Greenway said. “But they don’t stay. They want to ride the roads that are famous in this area.” She estimated the combined motorcycles’ value at several million dollars.

Activities? Breakfast at the Presbyterian Church. For lunch, the Lions Club offered pulled pork next to the Township Hall. Business at local merchants was humming, too. Appetizing smells from Cravingz’s smoker drew a constant stream of customers, and 20-foot lines queued up to place orders. The new bakery shop was open, as was the diner.

“It’s all for the pleasure of everyone, just to gather.” Greenway grinned.

Another highlight, she said, was the 1911 Flanders IV, made in Chelsea, Mich. and now housed in the Chelsea Area Historical Museum.

Lynne Roskowski-Farley said, “They only made a few of them, and this one was a basket case that came from California.” Elliot Andrews bought it, she said. Then Andrews and her husband, Arthur Farley, decided to restore it as an awesome project. Both are now deceased, but they lived to see it run, Rosckowski-Farley said. “Arthur was the first to ride it.” She smiled through her grief.

If Greenway could leave readers with one parting thought, she said, it would be the kindness of motorcyclists. “People need to see and recognize and get rid of the Marlon Brando image of motorcyclists,” she said. “I used to print T-shirts that read, World class motorcycles…and people.”